This creamy Copy cat KFC Cole Slaw recipe is quite possibly the perfect side dish. You are not going to believe how easy it is to make this restaurant favorite in your own kitchen! Shredded green cabbage and carrots tossed with that notorious KFC Coleslaw Dressing. It is sure to be the hit of your backyard barbecues and family gatherings.

I am sure that just about everyone in America has eaten at a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in their lifetime. I have fond memories of family get-togethers, pot lucks and picnics where that iconic bucket of extra crispy chicken, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and cole slaw were ever-present. It was always my favorite coleslaw recipe.

I’ll admit it, I have always loved Kentucky Fried Chicken, and even though I have never gotten the chicken recipe just right, I am happy to say that after years of trying and tweaking recipes, I have the coleslaw recipe just how I like it.

Looking for some tasty recipes to compliment this dish? Try my Meat Lovers Baked Beans or my Dr. Pepper BBQ Pork Sandwiches!

KFC COLESLAW COPYCAT RECIPE

We always make this coleslaw recipe when my husband and sons return from their annual fishing trip. We have a big Walleye fish fry and this slaw makes the perfect side dish. 

But just because we make this delicious coleslaw recipe when we make fish, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t go with everything. Of course, fried chicken is the obvious main course, but this recipe is a great side salad for your next picnic or summer potlucks no matter what is coming off of the grill!

It’s a great addition to any pot luck table, and it always gets devoured!

WHY IS KFC’S COLE SLAW SO GOOD?

Kentucky Fried Chicken is known for their crispy fried chicken, crunchy cole slaw, and comforting mashed potatoes. KFC’s cole slaw has a very distinctive tangy yet sweet flavor.

My secret ingredients to make this amazing cole slaw are creamy mayonnaise, tart apple cider vinegar, and zesty lemon juice. The richness of my dish comes from the combination of mayonnaise and tangy buttermilk. This side dish just wouldn’t be complete without buttermilk! If you are worried because you don’t have buttermilk on hand, don’t skip out on this important ingredient! You can make your own at home with this easy buttermilk substitute recipe!

This side dish is perfect for summer picnics and BBQs but can be enjoyed all year long. It is extremely versatile and vegetarian-friendly, too!

Want more flavorful side dish recipes to try? Try my BLT Pasta Salad or my The Best Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes recipe!

INGREDIENTS FOR COPYCAT KFC COLE SLAW

This recipe uses a handful of simple ingredients that you may already have in the refrigerator or pantry! For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.

For the Kentucky Fried Chicken Cole Slaw Dressing:

• Sugar – granulated sugar gives the cole slaw dressing its sweet taste.
• Mayonnaise – use the real thing, full-fat mayo, for a creamy dressing. No Miracle Whip for this one.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – some recipes call for white vinegar, which can be substituted, but I love all of the healing properties of ACV. 
• Lemon Juice – makes the perfect tangy dressing. Fresh or bottled works fine. 
• Heavy Cream – gives the cole slaw dressing its creaminess.
• Buttermilk – for the small quantity that you need, no need to run to the grocery store, you can easily make your own in about 5 minutes if you don’t have it on hand.
• Dry Minced Onion – you can use fresh, but for the small amount needed, this is quicker.
• Celery Seed – optional, but I like to add it to mine. 
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper

For the Cole Slaw:

• Green Cabbage – shredded finely with a hand grater or your food processor.
• Carrot – shredded finely with a hand grater or food processor.

HOW TO MAKE COLESLAW FROM COLONEL SANDERS

My recipe for Copy Cat KFC Cole Slaw is so incredibly easy to prepare! With only a handful of ingredients, this homemade coleslaw recipe with that famous KFC coleslaw dressing will be ready to serve at your backyard barbeques and family gatherings!

To see even more detailed steps, please scroll down to the printable recipe card.

COMBINE

Add all of the dressing ingredients into a small jar with a lid. Give it a good shake and set it aside.

PREP

Finely shred cabbage and carrot using a hand grater or your food processor.

Add the shredded cabbage and carrot to a large mixing bowl.

TOSS

Pour the dressing over the top and give the cole slaw a good toss.

REFRIGERATE

Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours.

SERVE

Serve cold from the bowl with a slotted spoon or salad set.

STORE

Store leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, consuming them within 4 to 5 days.

Love it? Pin it!

Don’t forget where you found this copycat KFC recipe! Pin it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest before you go!

OTHER TASTY COPYCAT RECIPES TO ENJOY

If you love this copycat KFC coleslaw recipe, you are sure to love these other restaurant copycats that you can make right in your own kitchen!

• Copy Cat McDonald’s Tartar Sauce & Fish Sandwich (pictured above)
• Zuppa Toscana – Olive Garden Copy Cat Recipe
• Taco Bell Enchirito Recipe
• Hooters Wings in the Air Fryer
• Copy Cat Dairy Queen Apple Pie Blizzard
• Sonic Cherry Limeade
• Copy Cat El Bee’s Margaritas
• Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Recipe

 I hope that you enjoy this KFC coleslaw as much as our family does! I know that you have lots of choices when it comes to recipes these days. Just know that when I share something with you, my family eats everything that I make, and these recipes come straight from my heart.

Let’s whip up this easy KFC coleslaw recipe! 

Continue to Content

Yield: 6 servings

KFC Cole Slaw Copy Cat

Print

This creamy Copy cat KFC Cole Slaw recipe is quite possibly the perfect side dish. You are not going to believe how easy it is to make this restaurant favorite in your own kitchen! Shredded green cabbage and carrots tossed with that notorious KFC Coleslaw Dressing. It is sure to be the hit of your backyard barbecues and family gatherings.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 cups shredded green cabbage (one small head)
• 1/4 cup shredded carrot (one medium-sized carrot)
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 3 1/2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 Tablespoons buttermilk *
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 Tablespoon dry minced onion
• 1 pinch celery seed, optional

Instructions

1. Add all of the dressing ingredients into a small jar with a lid. Give it a good shake and set it aside.
2. Finely shred cabbage and carrot using a hand grater or your food processor.
3. Add the shredded cabbage and carrot to a large mixing bowl.
4. Pour the dressing over the top and give the cole slaw a good toss.
5. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
6. Serve cold.
7. Store leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, consuming them within 4 to 5 days.

Notes

* if you don't have buttermilk you can easily make your own! Buttermilk Substitute Recipe

*Coleslaw mix with carrots can be subbed, but you may want to chop up those bigger pieces. A finer shred is better.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Cuisinart Boxed Grater
• Cuisinart DLC-2ABC Mini Prep Plus Food Processor Brushed Chrome and Nickel
• 
  Ninja BN601 Professional Plus Food Processor 9-Cup Capacity and a Silver Stainless Finish
• 
  Oggi Mixing Bowl, 4 Quart

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 137Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 258mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 2gSugar: 11gProtein: 2g

Please note that nutrition is not guaranteed accurate.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to know! Snap a picture, share the photo on social media with the hashtag #AnAffairFromTheHeart – I’d love to see what you made! – Michaela